The process of cutting the glass as it cures makes all the difference in the world. There is so little cutting to do afterwards. I've been tinkering with ideas for making tubes - one of the ideas I had was using wrapping, toilet and paper towel rolls - of course you're limited by the size unless you cut them in half and rolled the edges into itself? I understand your dilemma with the PVC. I think you would have to create two halves and then join them together with glass and filler.

A riddle, huh? It is early in the morning. What's round and needs to fit in round holes? OMG... Since I can't say the obvious... LOL I'm braindead. My first guess would be the gauges themselves? But also the lip that goes around the dash cluster from top to bottom. You got me wondering now. OK... what's the plan? I've suffered long enough.

Greg, I sent you a PM about my idea. I was hoping you might find time in your busy schedule to render up some concept(s)??????? Pretty please?

Had a little time this afternoon so I worked on the AC surround and the Doodad. Got the covey hole box semi done - screwed down and wired up the MP3 Amp. Everything works good. Just got to do some finish work and hook up the guages.

Got my gauges installed today - well almost. Still have to wire them up but I did get the wiring hooked to the gauges and ran them. Just need to terminate them and they will be done. I hate wiring - it's definitely not my bag!

Setting them up:

Installed:

About the time I was going to dig in and hook the wires up, I heard a loud yell come from the house. The Mail Man just delivered the XTC/4.9 wiring harness! Now I got to go work on that wiring nightmare. Guess I better go read some 4.9 threads now.

Played with the gauges a little more this eveing. It was beautiful out this evening so I just kept working. Got all the gauges wired up, installed a new OP sending unit and a new Coolant temp sensor. Got it all hooked up and fired up the old 350. She has been sitting for a few weeks untouched and when I raised the dcklid, I could not believe how much snad was in there. Now I got to detail the engine compartment!

Got a few things to clean up in here - also found that the plastic vacuum T was broke off and the rubber gromets for the PVC's have become like concrete. I'll get this fixed up tomorrow as I want to take her for a drive!

These gauges I installed have 4 different color settings. I like them normal white but the center one (you can't see it in this pic) was switched to blue. Now I have to take the pod apart so I can switch it back to normal:

I think I got the air out of the system after I changed the Temp sensor. She sat idling for 20 minutes with no fan and never went over 160. I'm starting to wonder if it even has a T Stat?

Last night while the car was running, I found a vacuum leak - the tee to the PVC's was broke so today I got a new tee and fixed that up. Adjusted the electric choke and adjusted the carb - got it running nice and smooth - it does have a miss so a tune up is in order, I let it sit and idle for over an hour As the temp reached 195, I turned the fan on and it setlled back to 180 and sat there for a good 30 minutes. At temp, at an idle I have 30psi OP. As soon as the XTC is out of the garage, I will pull this one in and drop the pan - I am still a little bervous about the rod knock it had when I first got it. I will pull each rod bearing and check them out. Maybe I can get away with a .0001 over bearing or two to get some life out of this motor. I have a fresh - ready to go 383 that I can stuff in there but I am thinking of going another way when this motor goes south.

I finished up the wiring and tucked everything up under the dash, ran the sub wires and put the console mack together. All I have left is the instrument pod - I am thinking of something custom with aftermarket gauges but for now I will put the stock pod back in there. I'd like to find a clean set of speedo/tach cluster to use.

I also will install new dew wipes and service the window mech's then install the door panels. Getting real close to having it ready for the summer rod runs and drags. It has the belt driven Water pump setup from the Archie kit but I am not crazy about the setup so I will need to slve that problem. I was thinking of going electric but have recently read some articles on the pros and cons of going electric. Seems to be the right choice for a occasional hot rod/race car but not recommended for prolonged driving / cruising. Even if you spend the big bucks and get a 55gpm pump - in the 400.00 range, it is not enough if you are cruising down the hiway for long periods of time?

Working on finishing the facory sub box. Bought a 14.00 200w 5.25" sub to install inthe factory sub box. It was pretty easy and it sounds great. Not a earth shattering thumper but it adds a nice deep bass to the system.

We drank beer and ate pizza....that counts for something LOL. Yep, I didn't know you'd bought the little Pyle sub. I wanna get one on order and in the GT before the San Antonio trip. I need to swap the belts, do the sub, and check out all the cooling hoses. After that, she's ready for the trip.

We drank beer and ate pizza....that counts for something LOL. Yep, I didn't know you'd bought the little Pyle sub. I wanna get one on order and in the GT before the San Antonio trip. I need to swap the belts, do the sub, and check out all the cooling hoses. After that, she's ready for the trip.

You can try this one out first - to see if you like it! Would not take 2 minutes to pull the whole box. I'll trade you the sub box for the shifter bracket for an evening??????

Working on finishing the facory sub box. Bought a 14.00 200w 5.25" sub to install inthe factory sub box. It was pretty easy and it sounds great. Not a earth shattering thumper but it adds a nice deep bass to the system.

Funny, I bought that same sub about a year ago and it is still in the box. I'm glad to see it sounds nice because I was debating whether to use it.

I won't have the amp or slider hooked up yet, will just be driving it off the Sony head unit, but that should give me a good idea of what it will sound like.

I'll pull it out sometime tomorrow and we can figure out a good time to meet up later in the week. I'll bring it your way then I can pull the bracket off your car. I hooked it up to my MP3 amp and it sounds pretty good. Adds just the right thump for what I have. It will probably sound better with a quality system.

Hey Pat.....no need to pull it out, I went ahead and ordered the Sub. If you say it sounds decent, that's good enough for me. Besides, it's gonna be playing Motley Crue and Hendrix, not rap....so it doesnt have to hit hard, just fill in the bottom end a bit.

Updates on the V8 Coupe - finally recieved my new instrument cluster - now I can get the interior finished and get it road worthy! I'd love to take it to SA for the Round Up but I think I have too much to do! Hope to have it finished up this weekend - if all goes as planned on the XTC and getting the Formula ready for the Round Up. I need to quit working so I can have more Fiero time!

I had planned on working on the XTC all day but the mufflers never showed up. So I had a lot of time to work on the V8 Coupe. I had picked up a used speedo/tach of EBay - when it showed up, the printed circuit thingie on the back was fubar so I took all the pieces and parts I had laying around and built one good cluster. Then cleaned up the housing - painted it to match the dash and installed it in the car. Also wired in my manual rad fan switch. Finished it all up around dark.

In and everything works - except the OP and temp gauge.

I am in the process of building a custom cluster with an aftermarket tach, speedo and fuel gauge - they match my 3 pod gauges. I have to get back into some glass work to finish it up. More on the later - for now, It's drivable!

Turned out very nice Pat. Sorry couldn't join up with you guys this weekend....I'm just starting to feel human again....but I'm WAY behind on what needs to get done before San Antonio. I've gotta do some Bonzai wrenching this week.

Turned out very nice Pat. Sorry couldn't join up with you guys this weekend....I'm just starting to feel human again....but I'm WAY behind on what needs to get done before San Antonio. I've gotta do some Bonzai wrenching this week.

Get Busy!

I have some little things to do - mostly cleaning up the interior. I may be out of town late next week. I got to get busy too.

I messed with the timing a little last night. I guess I will have to pull the plugs and do a full on tune up - this thing just is not running right. I am thinkg that there has been so much fuel run through this motor (no fuel ressure regulator) that the plugs are all fowled. It just feels like it's flooded. It is running a lot better now than ever before - I fixed a lot of vac leaks, the timing was way to far advanced. I fear that the 4 speed is too low geared too. Seems to rev out quickly - almost like the clutch is slipping but it's not. It hooks up hard. I think this is a 4.11 4 speed. I'll look for a 5 speed! I think it's time for the 383 install! As much as I hate to put this motor in this car, I think it's the quickest/easiest way to get it where I want it. I'd rather build a 302 or a 327 for it! Decisions decisions!

Anyway, this one will be sitting for awhile now. Once the XTC is done and out of the garage, I have another project that I have to finish - 1970 Monte - I need to put the motor together and then reassemble the front end and it can go to paint - then I have a 47 Chevy Rat Truck that I need to finish so I can sell it. After that, I can go full bore on the V8 Coupe. The 383 was built for the 47. Maybe I'll stuff it in the Fiero and work over the 350 in the Fiero for the truck - get it running and back together and sell it? I had my heart set on a 500 Caddy in the truck! If I build it that way, I may not be able to sell it. Crap! More later!

Decisions decisions! I have a fresh 383 stroker that I had professionaly built for my 47 Pickup. As I usually do, I changed my mind several times and am now in the process of looking for a 70 500 Cad motor for the 47. So my next plan was to put this 383 in the 86 V8 Coupe. The 350 in it now has a rod bearing problem so I need to either pull it and rebuild it or stuff this 383 in it. I was not sure that the 383 would be a good motor for the Fiero so I have been waffling back and forth on swapping it in. Now Saturday, I started the rebuild of the 350 for my 70 Monte - I was pretty set on keeping the original motor in the car and wanted to do a mild street build. Well after thinking about it and getting some advice from the El Paso guys, I think I have a new direction. I have been convinced to put the 383 in the Monte - should get the Monte moving better with the HP and grunt from the stroker! I am thinking that the 350 for the Monte with the cam, intake, carb and ignition I have picked up may be around 350 - 375HP (it is a 300hp stock 4 bolt main motor). This will be plenty for the Fiero and should help to make it a fun reliable toy. While I'm having fun with it, I can either rebuild the 350 that's in it now or find that 302 or 327 I want for the Fiero. I think the Fiero needs more HP and revs versus the grunt. I also would like to add the F40 6 spd. So now that have all the parts, the machine work is done and I started building the motor yesterday, I plan to finish this motor by next weekend and set it in the corner to await a swap into the Coupe (as soon as I get the Monte running).

Fresh from the machine shop - bored .030 over:

I went through and ran a tap through all the main cap bolt holes and then cleaned out all the oil passages - I was surprised at how clean it was from the machine shop. They did a great job cleaning the motor - hope thier machine work is as good - this is the first time I have used this machine shop - so far so good!

I installed the main bearings and torqued the mains down then mic'd the mains in the block and on the crank - the crank was turned .010 under. All within spec.

Next was to intsall the crank with a new double lip hi perf rear main seal - used lots of assembly lube. Then once it was all torqued down, I checked the end play - within spec!

MMMMMmmmmm. New projects rock.Have you priced wheelie bars for a fiero yet???

Heehee..... This will be a mild 350hp motor - I hope wheelie bars will not be necassary! And, I have changed my mind again. Actually, my older brother changed my mind! I really need to keep this motor in the Monte - numbers matching and all - helps to retain the value - In reality, the value does not matter to me becuase it will be in my stable till I'm gone! Having said that, I really do want to keep the Monte as close to factory as possible - it's just been in my family too long to do anything else with. So, I am on the hunt for a 327 or a 302 - I want to build a screamer motor for the Fiero. So the Coupe is on the back burner again........ Poor car may never get done. Maybe I'll have to sell it off! Anyone looking for a V8 Coupe? I can;t believe I said that......................

My personal opinion knowing the story of the Monte, I would keep the original engine in her. My $.02.

The 88 is looking great!

Thanks Tony, You are 100% right - the Monte will remain a numbers matching car. Spent a lot of time yesterday stuffing pistons in the block. It's been a long time since I built a motor - it's a lot more work than I remember.

Fired up the V8 Coupe this AM. After about an hour on the battery charger she fired right off. Getting the itch to do something with this car again. I really need to get a windshield put in it and get it registered so I can start driving/playing with it. I'm going to move it around to the garage this evening and give it a much needed tune up. Plugs, wires, carb cleaning/rebuilding, try to get the timing set correctly and I need to give some time and attention to the water pump belt/pulley setup.

V8 Coupe update. I will be taking it in a new direction this Fall/Winter. In the planning stages now but I would like some feed back before I start hacking and slashing.

Not a new idea for a Fiero but It's something I have been thinking about for awhile. So heres the plan - turn the V8 Coupe into a Fiero Roadster. Take the top off and shorten the windshield - more of a windscreen. Remove the gas tank and install a fuel cell in the trunk/spare tire well area. Remove the gas tank tunnel and "flatten" the floor. Build a custom tube "inner" chassis to strengthen the roofless car. Add to that a double loop roll bar and then mold the B pillars and firewall in with a "roadster" style pan. Remove all the interior and fab rolled and beaded aluminum for the dash and door pannles and the an aluminum floor pan. Build a narrower - lower center console and relocate the shifter back towards the driver - minimize the "reach". I'm going for that race car - road race - nascar - prostreet look. Clean and simple. Use aftermarket speedo, tach and gauges. For color, I'm thinking British Green with a single 3 or 4" offset of center white or yellow stripe. Replace the 4 spd with a 5 or 6 speed. And rod the crap out of it - maybe even do some suspension work and go do some auto cross with it? This way I get to have my 2 seat sports car with a SBC and maybe feel like I'm driving a Cobra?

I have already changed my mind about turning this car into a "roadster". For now, I will clean up the exterior and drop in a 383/5spd and just enjoy it. I'm getting a little "project" weary. Right in the middle of a 3800 SC swap, a 3.4 swap and have another 3.4 and 2.8 swap waiting in line. Some where in there I have to get my Monte Carlo finsihed and get some work on my 47 Chevy Truck done. It's going to be a busy next couple or three months.

I did get a "friend" for the V8 Coupe - so it would not feel negelcted sitting in the backyard!

Uh Oh! looks like one more project has arrived. I trll ya, I am sick! I got a bad Fiero bug!

You brought back the Short Bus? I haven't caught this thread in a minute. She is progressing nicely. Cool pic that I saw yesterday with all the Fieros filling up the street. You guys seem to have a really great group of Fiero enthusiasts down there. It reminds me of our close knit community here in the Inland Northwest. Best of luck with the rest of the build.